Inclosed bed for premature and feeble infants



Oct. 16, 1928. H. .1. w. MORGENTHALER INCLOSED BED FOR PREMATURE ANDFEEBLE INFANelS Filed July 1'7, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ea V WITNESSESINVENTOR HIWM enUZaZfl:

Oct. 16, 1928. 1.688200 H. J. w. MORGENTHALER mcnosm: BED yon PREMATUREAND manna mmu'rs Filed July 17, 1924 4 Slieets-Shaat 2 I II Emu Huh QWITNESSES I INVENTOR %ZZ;OW/%M 11 E i WMeqyE'aZ/zakh n'rromvm 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Oct. 16, 1928.

H. J. W. MORGENTHALER mcnosnn BED FOR PREMATURE AND FEEBLE INFANTS FiledJuly 17, 1924 It'll i. hm

IN VENTOR cw Z/LKl/f'i". 4am V o 0 II n! 1| I -1 \Liiii i WITNESSES MamATTORNEYS Oct. 16, 1928.. 1,688,200

' H. J. w. MQRGENTHALER Y INCLOSED BED FOR PREMATURE AND FEEBLE INFANTSW/TVESSES W95? I qycnl uz 1'7:

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1,688,200 PATENT OFFICE.

HERBERT J. W. MORGENTHALER, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK; ANNA ROBBINS MORGEN-THALER EXECUTE-IX F SAID -HERBERT J. W. MORGENTHALER, DECEASED.

INGLOSED BED FOR IREMLTURE AND FEEBLE INFANTS.

Application filed July 17,

This invention relates to beds for the care of infants and particularlyto beds so formed as to properly accommodate premature and feebleinfants until such time as they have developed suflicient strength to betaken care of in an ordinary bed.

An object of the invention is to provide a bed which is adapted toreceive an. infant or small child and to maintain the temperature andhumidity substantially uniform, notwithstanding the changing oftemperature adjacent the bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bed wherein an amplesupply ofmoisture laden air is provided for the patient.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bed particularly forvery small and feeble infants wherein a tilting structure is providedfor receiving the infant and a surrounding protecting wall structure isprovided with suitable co-acting devices to pro vide a propercirculation of air and moisture for the air so that the infant may bemain tained in substantially any desired position and provided withproperly moistened air.

A still further object of the invention, is to provide a bed forbabieswhich is formed with enclosing walls constructed to be opened slightl.or to a very great extent whereby so the ha y may be almost enclosed oralmost mately on line 7 -7. Figure 8 is a diagram of the wiring for the.

completely unenclosed.

In the accompanying drawings-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a beddisclosing an embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 is a fragmentarysectional View of one end of the beds'hown in Figure 1, the sameillustrating anadjustable structure acting as a screen. Figure 3is alongitudinal vertical sectional view through the structure shown inFigure 1, the same being on an enlarged scale. I

Figure t is a fragmentary sectional view through Figure 5, approximatelyon line 44 Figure is a horizontal sectional view through Figure 3,approximately on line 5-5.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the water container shown in F1 re 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail fragmentary sectional view through Figure5, approxi;

lamp shown in Figure 3.

Figure 9 is an end view of the structure 1924. Serial no 726,618.

shown in Figure 1, the same being on a somewhat enlarged scale.

Figure is a sectional view through Figure 3, approximately on line 1010.

Referring to the accompanying drawings by numerals, 1 iindicates a framewhich includes four legs as shown in Figure 1 preferably provided withcasters so that the bed may be readily moved. The frame also includes asubstantially rectangular structure. 2 as shown in Figure 5 and anintermediate rectangular structure 3, the same being connected by thevertical angle brace 4,, which angle brace merges into the legs. Thispart of the structure may be of any desired kind as long as means areprovided for presenting an upper chamber 5 and a lower chamber 6.

The rectangular structure 2 is provided with a bottom 7 which may beriveted or'otherwise secured thereto, said bottom being of any desiredmaterial, as for instance, sheet metal. A plurality of lamp sockets 8are carried by the bottom 7 there being shown in the accompanyingdrawings tour, though a greater or even less number might be used ifdesired.

In each of the sockets 8 there is provided a lamp 9 whereby when currentis turned on.heat is providedfor the chamber 6, said heat passing upwardinto chamber 5 and finally-out the opening 10 atlthe top. The bottom 7is also. provided with a plurality of apertures 11, there being a numberspaced from and partially surrounding each of the sockets 8.. Thispermits air to pass upwardly into the heated chamber 6 and become alsoheated so that it will pass upwardly as indicated by the variousarrows'12.

In order to regulate the volume of air, slides 13 and 14 are provided asillustrated in Figures 4 and 5. Each of'these slides is positioned insuitable runways 15 and 16, there being a stop 17 for limiting theinward move ment of the slide. As indicated in Figure 5, each slide isadapted to cover six apertures so that both slides cover twelveapertures and leave sixteen apertures uncovered, thus shutting offapproximately half of the volume of air. It will be understood that moreor less apertures might be covered and also that the apertures may be ofany desired size. However, by providing this shutter arrangement,

the volume of air may be adjusted while it is impossible-tocompletelysliut off all of the air from the occupantof the bed. Thebottom 7 also carries a pair of guides or stops 18 and 19, between whichis removably positioned a tank or container 20 as shown particularly inFigures 3, 5 and 6. This tank is preferably rectangular and is providedwith a lid 21 having a slot 22 and a filling opening 23 normally coveredby the lid 24. Brackets 25 and 26 are arranged on each side of thecontainer for receiving the downward extending sections 27 of therespective supporting or bracing rods 28. The rods 28, together with thetransverse plates or strips 29 and 30 form supporting grids on oppositesides of the container 20 as shown in Figure 3 whereby the absorbingmember 31 may be properly supported. This absorbing member may be of anydesired material. as for instance. an ordinary Turkish towel folded uponitself with a section extending downwardly through the slot 22 into thetank or container 20. A rod 32 is arranged near the bottom of thecontainer 20 whereby the depending section of the absorbing member 31 isalways held in position for receiving moisture whenever there is anywater in'the container. Preferably a lateral supply of water ismaintained in the container 20 and suitable quantities thereof will passupwardly by capillary attraction until the entire absorbing member 31 issaturated.

Whenever one or more of the lamps 9 are operatin a certain amount ofheat will be provided and as the air passes upwardly through theapertures 11, it will'be heated and as it strikes the absorbing member31 will become more or less saturated with moisture or rather will beprovided with a desired quantity of moisture so that when the air entersthe chamber 5 it will be in proper condition for breathing by theinfant. If this moisture was not provided but the air heated, the-airwould become something on the order of a sponge and would not only heatthe infant but would absorb some of the moisture therefrom and in thisway produce a loss of weight which would be very undesirable for feebleinfants 'or premature babies. In case too much moisture was provided,the absorbing material 31 could be readily reduced and yet left in thepath of movement of the air so that the desired mois ture might beprovided.

Mounted centrally on the structure 30, are brackets 33 and 34 as shownin Figure 10, bracket 33' accommodating a pin 35 rigidly secured to thetilting crib 36 while a pin 37 is journaled in bracket 34. The pin 37 asshown more particularly in Figure 7, ex-' tends loosely through asuitable aperture in the bracket 34 but isprovided with awasher and anut 39 screwed onto the threaded section-40. A suitable handle 41 isconnected with the nut 39 whereby when the position of the crib 36 isdetermined, nut 39 will be tightened and the crib locked in the desiredposition, as for instance, the position shown in Figure 3 or that shownin Figure 1. The crib 36 may be made from any desired material, as forinstance, a number of strips 42 of metal riveted together to form anenclosure which is preferably provided at one end with vertical closingstrips 43 and at the other end left open but with a forwardly extendingsection 44, which forwardly extending section is merely some of thebottom and side members projecting beyond the remaining side members. Ifdesired, the crib could be made in some other manner, the essential.feature being to present 'an openwork crib structure for receiving themattress and other bed clothes.

Surrounding the chamber 6 are side members 45 and 46 as well as endmembers 47 and 48. It will be noted that the end member 48 (Figure 3) isarranged within the angle bars forming the frame while end member 47 isarranged exteriorly thereof and spaced therefrom by suitable angleplates 49 whereby the glass panel 50 may slide downwardly in the space51 whenever desired. This panel normally is fitted into a suitable frame52 and forms the end of chamber 5. A pair of springs 53 are provided,the same being carried by frame 52, said springs acting to hold thepanel 50 in the position shown in Figure 3 or in a partially orentirelylowered position. In forming the side members 45 and 46, it will benoted that'the side member 45 is hinged at- 54 so that it may be readilyswung downwardly out of the way when access to the lower chamber 6 isdesired. When this side member is in its raised position, the same maybe held in place by any suitable means, as for instance, a fasteningclip.

The chamber 5 is enclosed not only by the panel 5,0 but by what may betermed side walls 55 and 56 and a roll top structure 57 which acts withthe end member 58 to close the end and also the top partially; The endmember 58 is constructed similar to the end and side members surrounding-the chamber 6, namely, with an enclosure 59 of metal. and a filling 60of asbestos or other desired material. The wall 55 is in effect, a metalframe 61 having slideways 62 and 63 for receiving the respective glasspanels64 and 65, panel 64 being usually cemented or otherwisepermanently fixed in place while the panel 65 is slidable so as toprovide a sideopening for the admission of air whenever desired. Thewall 56 is likewise made up from a metal frame 66 having runways 67 and68 for accommodating the panels 69 and 70, panel 69 being preferablycemented or otherwise rigidly held in place while the panel able. Themetal frame 66 is provided with a channel iron extension 71', which whenthe frame is in operative or elevated position as shown in Figure 10,will fit over the edge of the roll top 57, the opposite edge fittinginto a fixed channel frame 72, said channel frame is slidtance and theend will pass downwardly into the vertical guideways 74. The wall 56 maybe then swung downwardly as shown in dotted lines in Figure 10. Ifdesired, the panel could be slid to an open position and panel 50 alsolowered, whereupon the child will be exposed almost completely on allsides. All or any one of these structures may be moved back to theirformer position so" that the child will be enclosed to any desiredextent.

lVhen the child is first placed in the bed, preferably the only openingis the opening 10 which is permanently provided and which is neverclosed, a suitable stop being provided to prevent the closing of theroll top 57.' As thechild becomes stronger and approaches the end of thepremature stage, this opening is enlarged by sliding the roll top 57toward the guides 74. The panels 65 and may be also opened to anydesired extent as well as panel 50. .In this way, more and more air fromthe room may be admitted directly into the chamber 5 as the child isable to bear the same until it is practically exposed, as if it were inan ordinary bed or an ordinary crib. At the front of the bed on theframe 52 is provided a bar extending across the front of the bed, saidbar being adapted to receive the clamp 76 (Figure 2) which clamp isconnected with a flexible support 77 carrying a shield 78 which ispreferably metal, said shield acting as a screen to prevent the lightsin the room from shining directly on the childs face.

When the bed is in use, the child is arranged preferably in the crib 36so that its head will be in the forwardly extending portion 44 directlybeneath the opening 10. It will be, of course, evident that the mattressor other bedding beneath the child will prevent any of the air passingupwardly to the child. However, the air by reason of the mattress andother bedding will be compelled topass as indicated by the arrows 12,so. that the child will continually breathe heated and moistened air.The various lamps 9 may be turned on and off; manually -or may be turnedon and off by a suitable thermostat7 9. As indicated in Figure 8,'thethermostat 7 9 is connected to ,a suitable switch 80 which. it may openand close for breaking or making the circuit of the lamps at anytime.The. hand switch 81, however, is of a special construction which isactuated independently of the switch 80.' As indicated in Figure 8, theswitch 81 is provided with a contact 82 for engaging the variouscontacts 83, 84, 85 and 86, the arrangement being such that the lampsare successively turned on so that one, two or more lamps may be lightedby a proper adjustment of the switch 81. I

When the device'is first used, all of the lamps are preferably turned onuntil the proper heat has been secured, after which, the switch is movedback until only two lamps are used. If the thermostat 79 is in:operation, usually the switch 81 is leftin position for using all of thelamps and the thermostat then may turn on and off the current tomaintain a certain temperature which will automatically cause the airpassing the absorbing material 31 to absorb a certain amount of water.

From Figures 1 and 3, it will be noted that the crib 36 is provided withsuitable pins 87 and 88, said pins being positioned to strike againsttheside angle bars maln'ng up the structure 3 whereby the crib islimited in its tilting motion so that it cannot tilt beyond the positionshown in Figure 1 or the dotted position shown in Figure 3.

What I claim is: v

1. An enclosed bed construction for premature and feeble infants,comprising a closure, meansfor producing a circulation of air throughsaid closure, at bed mounted within the closurc,.said closure havinganadj ustable section and means for preventing the complete closure ofsaid section to leave a permanent opening at the head end of said bed.

2. A bed for infants, comprising a closure having adjustable sectionscapable of being open to different extents for varying the amount ofventilation, a tiltable support arranged substantially centrally of theenclosure, means for locking the support in different positions, andmeans for heating the air in the enclosure, and means for supplyingmoisture to said air as it is heated.

3. An enclosed bed construction for premature and feeble infants,comprising an enclosure having ventilating openings for producing acirculationof air through said enclosure, a bed located within theenclosure, and means for supporting the bed for tilting adjustmenttoraise or lower the head of an 00- cupant of the bed with relation tothe feet of the occupant and for holding the'bed in adjusted position.

4. An enclosed bed construction for premature and feeble infants,comprising a closure frame, a'bed supported within the 010- sure and aseries of enclosing walls for said closure, comprising an adjustablesection arranged to open from the head toward the foot of said bed, andmeans for preventing the complete closure of said section to provide apermanent opening at the head end of the bed. i

, 5. A device of the character described comprising a casing for housingpremature and feeble infants, and a bed mounted within said casing, thecasing comprising an adjustable section above the bed and one or more adjustable side wall sections, each arranged, when adjusted in openposition,-to leave an opemnw means for preventing the complete closureof one of said sections to provide a permanent opening in the casing.

6. An enclosed bed construction for premature and feeble infants,comprising :1 casing, a bed mounted in the upper portion of sa1d casingin position to leave a main air passage from the lower to the upperportion of the casing at the foot end of the bed,

means providing an opening in the casing at the head end of the bed, ahumidifier located in the portion of the casin below the bed andcomprising a tank, a wick substantially impervious to the passage of aircurrents ex tending from said tank in a horizontal direction below thebed and spaced from the same, and a source of heat located below thewick whereby the heated air below the wick rises into contact with thewick, then is deflected laterally by the wick and passes upwardlythrough the passage at the foot end of the bed, over the bed, and thenoutwardly through the opening in the casin at the head 'end of the bed,part of theheated air passing between the wick and the bed on its way tosaid passage.

7. An enclosed bed construction for premature and feeble infants,comprising a casing, a bed mounted in the upper portion of the casing inposition to provide a main pasat the head end of said bed and.

sage for air currents from the lower to the upper portion of the casingat one point in the casing and to prevent substantially the passage ofair currents between the bed and the casing at other points, meansproviding a ventilating opening in the upper portion of the casing, ahumidifier located in the portion of the casing below the bed andcomprising a tank, a wick substantially impervi ous to the passa e ofair currents extending laterally from t 1e tank below the bed and spacedfrom the same, and a source of heat below the wick whereby the risingcurrents of the heated air are deflected laterally by the wick and passsome of the air currents upwardly between the bed and the wick andthrough said passage into the upper portion of the casing.

8. An enclosed bedconstruction for pre mature and feeble infants,comprising in combination an enclosure, a bed mounted in the upperportion of said enclosure, the enclosure having a permanent ventilatingoutlet adjacent the head of the bed and opening immediately from theinner part of the enclosure to the outer air and also having a permanentventilating air inlet in the lower portion thereof and wall sectionsarranged for adjustment to different open positions so that the infantoccupying the bed may become gradually accustomed to room temperatureand moisture conditions, means for heating the air in the lower portionof the enclosure, and means for humidifying the air as it passesupwardly into the upper portion of the eas- I- l ERBERT J. W.MORGENTHALER

